Howard County 2024 high school baseball season preview: Great depth, talent present throughout the county
Mar. 20—By Jacob Steinberg — jsteinberg@baltsun.com
PUBLISHED:March 20, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.| UPDATED:March 20, 2024 at 12:05 p.m.
Howard County baseball figures to be one of the deepest and most talented areas throughout the state.
Coming off a Class 3A state championship, River Hill returns several key pieces including 2023 Howard County Times Player of the Year Henry Zatkowski. Meanwhile, Centennial, Glenelg and Long Reach also bring back multiple key contributors from last year and are expected to be near the top of the county standings.
According to coaches, the county is deep with several teams who finished around .500 last year, poised for improvement.
The regular season begins Thursday with postseason play beginning on May 9. The state championships are scheduled for May 24-25 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf.
Howard County's 12 public school varsity teams are split between Class 2A West, 3A South and 4A South. Glenelg, Centennial, Hammond and Wilde Lake are in 2A West Region II. Howard, Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron are part of 3A South Region I, while Atholton, Long Reach, Oakland Mills and River Hill round out the teams in 3A South Region II. Reservoir is Howard County's lone representative in 4A South Region I.
Here is a look at the county teams. Note: Not all teams submitted requests for information.
Atholton
Coach: Scott Peddicord, sixth season
2023: 9-13
Top returners: Seniors Aaron Lutz (IF/P) and Cam Williams (OF).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Josh Whiting (IF), Liam Conroy (OF/C) and Thomas MacKenzie (UT/P).
On the diamond: Lutz and Williams give the Raiders experience as three-year varsity starters. Lutz has provided stability defensively for Atholton. Brody Pope will be a key presence in the middle of the lineup, while sophomore Linus Byrns looks to build on an impressive debut last year. Sophomore Noah Weinig is another player expected to play a larger role as a sophomore.
Coach's outlook: "We are a very young team with only three seniors and seven underclassmen. The three seniors have taken charge in showing their younger teammates how varsity players need to operate. The aforementioned underclassmen all project to be very good high school players. It's an exciting season to see how the freshman and sophomore newcomers adjust to the varsity game."
Centennial
Coach: Denis Ahearn, 22nd season
2023: 13-6, 3A East Region I finalist
Top returners: Seniors Cadeyrn Ahearn (P/1B), Zach Harris (P/INF) and Charlie Wentker (P/OF).
Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Casey Stachera (C)
On the diamond: The Eagles feature one of the area's top pitching staffs. Harris was the 2023 Howard County Pitcher of the Year finishing with 61 strikeouts and a 1.02 ERA in 47 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Cadeyrn, a Lehigh commit, also was named All-County as a junior, a force in the middle of the lineup. Wentker adds to that pitching depth, with a new face behind the plate in Stachera who takes over for Qwynn Ahearn who is now playing at the University of Pennsylvania.
Coach's outlook: "We have a strong pitching staff. Our line-up is unproven and we have many field positions up for grabs. We drop down to 2A so it will be interesting to see how we perform there. Overall, I am optimistic that we can be competitive team that can make a strong push at the end of the season."
Glenelg
Coach: Steve Tiffany, seventh season
2023: 19-3-1, Class 2A state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Zach LaFountain (P/3B) and Logan Puscheck (OF); and junior Nick Bilotto (P/3B).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Austin Nazelrod (MIF); freshmen Blake Bourne (MIF) and Jake Miles (P/1B).
On the diamond: LaFountain and Bilotto will lead the Gladiators rotation, giving them two experienced starters. A Salisbury commit, LaFountain missed much of last season with an injury, while Bilotto, a University of Delaware commit, struck out 21 in 19 innings and had a 1.43 ERA. Puscheck, a two-time first team All-County selection is coming off a 30-hit season with a .423 batting average.
Coach's outlook: "If we can make routine plays in the field and compete in the box, we should be in every game."
Glenelg Country
Coach: Chris Garber, 15th season
2023: 13-13
Top returners: Seniors Trey Miller (1B), Cary Pakulla (2B), Dominic Smirne (P/3B), Trey Miller (LHP), Sebastian Mezzanotte (P/OF); and junior Keegan Wojdon (RHP/C/INF).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Brayden Henson (P/C/INF/OF), Bear Williams-Abrams (P/INF) and Patrick Wojdon (P/C/INF/OF).
On the diamond: Miller, Smirne and Pakulla are all committed to play college baseball and give the Dragons a strong corps in their lineup, combining for 31 stolen bases last season. Meanwhile, Miller, Smirne and Keegan Wojdon headline the rotation as key arms.
Coach's Outlook: "The 2024 Glenelg Country School Dragons baseball team is coming off its 12th consecutive appearance in the MIAA B Conference playoffs. GCS is looking to continue its success as it is returning five starters but must replace the productivity of All State outfielder/pitcher and UMBC commit Dylan Melton. Seniors second baseman Cary Pakulla, Eastern University commit, and third basemn Dominic Smirne are coming off a strong 2023 to contribute with the bat. The Dragons look to senior Trey Miller, New York University commit, and Junior Keegan Wojdon to head the pitching rotation with contributions from Smirne and a number of freshmen and other upperclassmen who rise to the challenge.
"The defense will be strong up the middle anchored by Pakulla, Williams-Abrams and Mezzanotte. Coach Garber and his coaching staff are looking forward to the challenge to build this team into a strong competitor relying upon a number of returning seniors and looking for freshman Brayden Henson, Bear Williams-Abrams and Patrick Wojdon to fill the gaps and gain valuable experience."
Hammond
Coach: Collin Miller, first season
2023: 10-12
Top returners: Senior Chase Endres (C) and junior Nathaniel Wilk (P/SS).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Jacques Boudreau (P) and sophomore Yaxiel Rivera (P/UTL).
On the diamond: Both Endres and Wilk were second-team All-County performers last season and will be key leaders for the Golden Bears. Beyond Boudreau and Rivera, junior first baseman/pitcher Tavion Griffin is another player expected to make a key impact.
Coach's outlook: "To be competitive each and every game with a pitch-by-pitch mentality."
Howard
Coach: Scott Anderson, second season
2023: 10-10
Top returners: Seniors Sean Dawes (P/MIF) and Hunter Hilte (SS); and junior Dylan Abrahams (P/OF).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Gavin Nystrom (OF) and freshman Carter Parise (OF).
On the diamond: Dawes returns as the Lions' pitching leader in innings and strikeouts last season. Abrahams hit .365 as a sophomore and led the team in RBIs and stolen bases, while Hilte is back as the anchor of the defense in the middle of the infield. Sophomore Brennan Giangrasso is expected to see an increased role on the mound and in the lineup, while sophomore catcher Austin Proescher and junior pitcher/corner infielder Jaylen White will be other impact players.
Coach's outlook: "Potential for a breakout season. Good mix of upperclassmen and young players. Great chemistry. Pitching is deep and defense will be solid."
Long Reach
Coach: Anthony Lyon, third season
2023: 11-7
Top returners: Juniors Aidan West (SS) and Seth Rosenfeld (2B); sophomore Bobby Yates (OF).
Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Nathan Smith (RHP/IF).
On the diamond: West, a North Carolina State University commit, returns as one of Howard County's top players and leads a strong core. Rosenfeld provides added varsity experience, while Yates will look to build on a strong freshman season. Seniors Matthew Brown and Ethan Austraw will lead the outfield group with great speed defensively, while junior Noah Murdock will be the ace of the rotation.
Coach's outlook: "Our young team isn't so young anymore, with experience throughout the lineup, Long Reach is looking to pick up where the left off from last year. Coming off a school best 11-6 season, the offense will be a strong point with a complimenting defense. This will be the third season Long Reach has had the same starters in the infield and outfield, only replacing first base and one outfield position this year. Pitching hasn't changed much, the team lost one starter from last year, but gained a new arm with young talent coming up the pipeline. The experience is there, it's just about executing. 2024 will be an exciting ride."
Mt. Hebron
Coach: Aaron Wilson, third season
2023: 6-10
Top returners: Seniors Mike Brogno (P/INF), Austin Kehres (P), Nick Duda (OF), Joe Lee (P/1B/3B) and Will Cucuzzella (P); junior Lucas Edwards (INF).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Luke Evans (INF/P), Alex Swan (C) and Ryan Davis (OF); sophomores Yash Patel (INF/P) and Colin Friedman (P/1B/OF).
On the diamond: Brogno is back as one of Howard County's top hitters, a first team All-County performer each of the last two seasons. Kehres headlines the pitching staff with a 2.95 ERA last year and 18 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings. Duda, Lee and Cucuzzella add to an experienced Vikings group, while Mt. Hebron has several juniors and sophomores to provide added depth and versatility.
Coach's outlook: "I have confidence that our pitching and defense will be strong enough to keep us competitive in all of our games this year. The biggest question is which of our bats will step-up and deliver. If we can hit, we will win and compete for the county title."
Marriotts Ridge
Coach: Josh Molnar, first season
2023 13-9, Class 3A state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Chase Kamerman (3B/P) and Jack Coughlin (SS/P); junior Jonah Obitz (C).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Owen Snow (OF/P) and Sid Thomas (P/3B).
On the diamond: Kamerman was a second team All-County selection as a junior and gives the Mustangs a strong mix of speed and contact, hitting .410 last season with 12 stolen bases. Coughlin and Obitz bring added experience to the lineup, while seniors Zach Vernick and Luke Galloway will step into larger roles.
Coach's outlook: "We will be young with only three starters returning and anywhere from five-to-seven freshmen and sophomores on the varsity roster. We only return 21 total innings pitched on varsity from last year but have some talented young arms in the sophomore class and Kamerman should be able to pitch this season, giving us a legit No. 1. Our experienced players will keep us in games as the young kids learn the varsity level of play and by the second half of the year we could be dangerous if things come together."
Reservoir
Coach: Adam Leader, 22nd season
2023: 11-8, 3A East Region II finalist
Top returners: Seniors Sebastian Fuentes (P/1B), Cole Folkenberg (P/IF) and Cameron Whitehead (P/OF); juniors Matt Russell (P/IF) and Gavin Metrick (P/IF).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Ryan Higginbotham (P/OF) and sophomore JJ Castonguay (C).
On the diamond: The Gators graduated a pair of first team All-County infielders in Quinn Dean and Zach Gaynor. While they'll look to make up for those losses, Reservoir has a wealth of pitching depth with a mix of returners and new players.
Coach's outlook: "We were a young team last year. We're still young, but this year we have more experience. I expect our returners to build on their experience and help us have a successful season. I am excited about how they look so far."
River Hill
Coach: Craig Estrin, third season
2023: 21-4, 3A state champion
Top returners: Seniors Henry Zatkowski (P/OF) and Jake Miller (UTL); junior Anderson Dang C) and sophomore Ryan Walsh (3B).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Jonathan Norwood (1B).
On the diamond: Zatkowski, returns as one of Howard County's top players. A dominant pitcher and Duke Commit, Zatkowski is coming off an 8-1 season with 0.65 ERA. Walsh shined as a freshman, starting every game at third and hitting over .400. Dang adds varsity experience to the lineup, with Norwood and Miller expected to see increased roles.
Coach's outlook: "Lots of parity in the county, but we expect to be in the mix."
Wilde Lake
Coach: Steve Fredrick, sixth season
2023: 5-14
Top returners: Seniors Derek Fermaint (CF/LHP), Andrew Varga (SS) and David Carroll (3B/OF/RHP).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Bryan Putman (LHP) and James Board (RHP).
On the diamond: The Wildecats are one of Howard County's most experienced teams led by Fermaint and Varga. Both players were second team All-County last season as Fermaint had a .448 average with 12 RBIs in 11 games, he also struck out 30 in 18 2/3 innings on the mound. Varga was efficient at the plate with a .508 on-base percentage. Carroll, Putman and Board give Wilde Lake's pitching staff added depth and versatility.
Coach's outlook: "With nine seniors and seven juniors, this is the most experienced team I've had during my time at Wilde Lake. Fermaint and Varga are five-tool guys who will lead the way offensively and defensively. Look for Carroll to provide some power from the middle of the lineup. Fermaint leads a staff that includes intriguing juniors Putman and Board."
Share this:
— Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
— Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
—
